Monitoring of commercial kitchens in Dhofar

Dhofar Municipality has come out with a policy to ensure food safety to customers through digital monitoring of commercial kitchens.

The first phase of the electronic control imposed by the Dhofar Municipality is targeting the activities of restaurants, cafes, bakeries and commercial kitchens by asking them to install HD surveillance cameras at food and beverage preparation sites.

Under the plan, the commercial kitchens have been advised to install TV screens with a minimum size of 32 inches in the dining halls. This thoughtful addition allows customers to conveniently observe the culinary activities in the food and beverage preparation and processing areas.

This electronic control initiative seeks to qualify health requirements for food trading activity, monitor the behaviour of workers involved in food preparation, facilitate work control through modern technologies, and food safety and reduce violations.

Salah al Ajili, Director of the Food and Laboratories Department in Dhofar Municipality, mentioned that holders of new licences for the targeted activities in the first phase are required to comply with the conditions before issuing the municipal license. As for the existing targeted activities, there is a deadline of August 15, 2023, to implement the decision.

There has been a significant increase in consumer interest regarding the production of food. This interest stems from the realisation that electronic control plays a crucial role in ensuring public health protection, preventing cheating and fraud, averting food contamination, and facilitating trade for food industry owners.